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Becoming the Archetype is an American
Christian metal Christian metal, also known as white metal, Jesus metal or heavenly metal, is heavy metal music distinguished by its Christian themed song lyrics and the dedication of the band members to Christianity. Christian metal is typically performed by ...
band formed in
Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
, in 1999. They have released five albums on Solid State Records. ''
Dichotomy A dichotomy is a partition of a whole (or a set) into two parts (subsets). In other words, this couple of parts must be * jointly exhaustive: everything must belong to one part or the other, and * mutually exclusive: nothing can belong simulta ...
'', which was released in November 2008, sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to
Nielsen Soundscan Luminate (formerly Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen Music Products, and MRC Data) is a provider of music sales data. Established by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett in 1991, data is collected weekly and made available every Sunday (for albums sales) and eve ...
. The CD debuted at No. 18 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the top 100 of the ''Billboard'' 200. The band was part of the
new wave of American heavy metal The new wave of American heavy metal (also known as NWOAHM and new wave of American metal) was a heavy metal music movement that originated in the United States during the early–mid 1990s and expanded most in the early to mid-2000s. Some of the b ...
. After 2012's ''
I Am I Am or I'm may refer to: Language and literature * "I Am that I Am", a common English translation of the response God used in the Hebrew Bible when Moses asked for His name ** I am (biblical term), a Christian term used in the Bible * "I Am" (po ...
'', the band went on an indefinite hiatus. In 2022, however, the band reunited with the lineup of Jason Wisdom, Seth Hecox, and Brent “Duck” Duckett.


History

The band formed in 1999 with two vocalists, including Jason Wisdom, guitarists Jon Star and Sean Cunningham, bassist Wes Gaither, and drummer Brent "Duck" Duckett under the moniker Nonexistent Failure. The band's second vocalist left the band before they recorded a demo. The band recorded their first demo in 2001, before joining
Solid State Records Solid State Records is a Christian metalcore record label, an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore punk and heavy metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, ...
, the band changed their name to The Remnant and released an
independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...
self-titled An eponym is a person, a place, or a thing after whom or which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. The adjectives which are derived from the word eponym include ''eponymous'' and ''eponymic''. Usage of the word The term ''epon ...
album. The band was approached by the members of
Demon Hunter Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. Although the brothers created the band together, only Ryan remains, since Don left the band to take care of his ...
at
Cornerstone Festival Cornerstone Festival was a Christian music festival put on by Jesus People USA and held annually around July 4 near Bushnell, Illinois, drawing some 20,000 attendees each year. In a given year, many artists that played at Cornerstone also playe ...
in 2004, who told the band to change their name, as there was
punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...
band named The Remnants. The band changed to Becoming the Archetype. Wisdom claims that he came up with the name. In December 2004, the band signed with Solid State and released their first nationwide album, ''
Terminate Damnation ''Terminate Damnation'' is the debut album by Christian progressive death metal band Becoming the Archetype, released on August 30, 2005. The title of the album was taken from the song "Terminate Damnation" from the Mortification album, ''Scrolls ...
'', named after a song by Christian death metal band Mortification, mixed by
Tue Madsen Tue Madsen (born 1969) is a Danish music producer and sound engineer, who is well known in metal genre for his work with bands like Meshuggah, Dark Tranquillity, Suicide Silence, Hatesphere, The Haunted, Mnemic, Ektomorf, Cataract, Exmortem ...
. The album blended elements of
progressive metal Progressive metal (sometimes shortened to prog metal) is a broad :Fusion music genres, fusion music genre melding heavy metal music, heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified electric guitar, guitar-driven s ...
,
death metal Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...
and
metalcore Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...
. In 2006, the band's longtime lead guitarist, and one of the primary songwriters Jon Star decided to leave the band for personal reasons, but on good terms. ''Terminate Damnation'' is being released on vinyl by Broken Circle Records with a limited pressing of 500 in early May. The band's first tour of 2006 was a 24-date run in Europe with The Chariot and
Shaped by Fate Shaped by Fate were a five-piece metalcore band from South Wales, UK. They were lauded as "the future of British Metalcore" by ''Kerrang!'' magazine which described the band's music as "some of the tastiest, heaviest, most shredding metal this ...
with lead guitar replacement, Alex Kenis from progressive death metal group,
Aletheian Aletheian are a Christian progressive/melodic death metal band. They formed in Lebanon, Pennsylvania in 1997 under the name Crutch, and then changed their name to "Aletheian" prior to the 2003 album ''Apolutrosis''. Guitarist Alex Kenis joined ...
. In July 2006, original guitarist Sean Cunningham left the band for his last semester in college and to pursue a full-time career. Determined to press on, in the fall of 2006, the band went back into the studio with producer Andreas Magnusson (
The Agony Scene The Agony Scene is an American heavy metal band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Formed in 2000, the group currently consists of lead guitarist Chris Emmons, vocalist Mike Williams, and rhythm guitarist Brian Hodges. The band has released four albums, o ...
, Scarlet, The Black Dahlia Murder,
Calico System Calico System was an American metalcore band from St. Louis, Missouri. The group formed in 1998 and released several albums under the Eulogy Recordings label after successful LP releases and abundant touring. They announced their disbandment ...
,
Twelve Tribes The Twelve Tribes of Israel ( he, שִׁבְטֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, translit=Šīḇṭēy Yīsrāʾēl, lit=Tribes of Israel) are, according to Hebrew scriptures, the descendants of the biblical patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel, throu ...
); ''
The Physics of Fire ''The Physics of Fire'' is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Becoming the Archetype. Released on May 8, 2007, the album features a departure from the band's previous metalcore sound and shifts to a more progressive death metal ...
'', was released May 2007. The band promoted the album on "The Trilogy of Hairs" (Bring Your Own Beard, Peel Your Wig Back, Born With a Mustache) tour. The bearded skull artwork for the Bring Your Own Beard has been dubbed "Clifton", named after
Aletheian Aletheian are a Christian progressive/melodic death metal band. They formed in Lebanon, Pennsylvania in 1997 under the name Crutch, and then changed their name to "Aletheian" prior to the 2003 album ''Apolutrosis''. Guitarist Alex Kenis joined ...
/
Solamors Solamors was a Christian metal band, that formed in 2012. The band has become a project of members of Becoming the Archetype, Aletheian, and UnTeachers UnTeachers is a heavy metal band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The band has released a s ...
drummer Clifton Travis Turner, and is BTA's mascot, according to Jason Wisdom. Also, Brent Duckett took an indefinite break from the band in late 2007 for personal reasons. In 2008, there were some important personnel changes. Alex Kenis left and was replaced by the band's former lead guitarist, Jon Star. In the spring of 2008 The band wrote the material for its 3rd studio album and recorded the project with stand-in drummer Brandon Lopez (
Broken Flesh Broken Flesh is a Christian death metal band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2004. The band has released three studio albums, ''Forever In Flames'' in 2009, '' Warbound'' in 2013, and '' Broken Flesh'' in 2015. They have released one extend ...
) in Summer '08 with producer
Devin Townsend Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He founded extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad and was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from 1994 to 2007. He has also ...
(
Strapping Young Lad Strapping Young Lad was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver in 1994. The band started as a one-man studio project; Townsend played most of the instruments on the 1995 debut album, ''Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing' ...
). In November 2008, the band released ''Dichotomy''. The album's concept was inspired by the
Space Trilogy ''The Space Trilogy'' or ''Cosmic Trilogy'' is a series of science fiction novels by C. S. Lewis. The trilogy consists of ''Out of the Silent Planet'' (1938), '' Perelandra'' (1943), and '' That Hideous Strength'' (1945). A philologist named ...
by
C.S. Lewis CS, C-S, C.S., Cs, cs, or cs. may refer to: Job titles * Chief Secretary (Hong Kong) * Chief superintendent, a rank in the British and several other police forces * Company secretary, a senior position in a private sector company or public se ...
and uses the same themes of biology vs technology, and man vs machine. The sixth song on the album, "Ransom" is, for instance, named after the main character of the trilogy. On October 31, 2008, Brent "Duck" Duckett returned. The band was featured in the 2008 Nov/Dec issue of HM Magazine and tour support also followed. In October 2009, the band released a new single titled "Necrotizing Fasciitis". The single was packaged with a Necrotizing Fasciitis-themed shirt. "Clifton", the bearded skull, returned on the single's artwork. In 2010, Becoming the Archetype's lead guitarist Jon Star left the band once again and was replaced with guitarist Daniel Gailey. ''
Celestial Completion ''Celestial Completion'' is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band Becoming the Archetype, released on March 29, 2011 through Solid State Records. Becoming the Archetype added some diversity and unusual elements to their sound o ...
'' is Becoming the Archetype's fourth studio album on Solid State Records. It was recorded in Glow in the Dark studios in
Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
with
Matt Goldman Matt Goldman (born December 30, 1969) is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixer, and songwriter based in Atlanta, Georgia. Biography Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States, Goldman is a drummer by trade. Goldman c ...
(
Underoath Underoath (stylized as Underøath or UnderOath) is an American rock band from Tampa, Florida. It was founded by lead vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton on November 30, 1997, in Ocala, Florida; subsequently, its additional member ...
, The Chariot,
Vanna Vanna () is a given name that first appeared in recorded European history circa 1294. The Italian medieval feminine name originated in Tuscany, and is particular to Florence, Italy. Though similar in pronunciation to the Italian name Giovanna, an ...
) from October to November 2010, and includes many new concepts. Said Seth Hecox, "we have Dennis Culp of
Five Iron Frenzy Five Iron Frenzy is an American band formed in Denver, Colorado, in 1995. Best known for playing ska punk music characterized by an offbeat sense of humor and prominent Christian themes, Five Iron was one of the pioneering figures of the Christi ...
playing trombone on a ska section of track nine," and, "we have a track of just sitar and tambura and Tablas." The band released a single, "The Magnetic Sky" on February 14, 2011, in order to promote the album. Then, beginning on Friday, March 18, one new song from ''Celestial Completion'' was released per day until the album's release, on March 29, as a part of the "12 days of BTA." A video for ''The Magnetic Sky'' premiered at MetalSucks.net on the same day of the album's release. Guitarist Seth Hecox did an interview discussing the lyrical themes of "The Magnetic Sky". In late November, after playing "over 80 shows in 12 different countries in just an 8 month span," with bands such as Creations and
The Tug Fork River Band The Tug Fork River Band was a Southern groove metal band from Indianapolis, Indiana. The group formed in 2006, but disbanded in 2013. History The band began in 2006 with the lineup of vocalist Aaron Quinn, guitarist Justin Foxworth, bassis ...
, and writing, recording, and releasing the single ''Oh Holy Night,'' the band announced that Jason Wisdom and Brent Duckett were leaving the band. It was also announced that Chris McCane would be the band's new lead vocalist and they had found a new drummer (later announced on their Facebook as Michael McClellan). Seth Hecox and lead guitarist Daniel Gailey were in the process of writing songs for the next album. In April 2012 the band announced they would enter the studio with producer Shane Frisby (
Bury Your Dead Bury Your Dead is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. The current lineup is guitarist Chris Towning, lead vocalist Mat Bruso, drummer Mark Castillo, and bassist Aaron Patrick. To date, they have had eight rele ...
, The Ghost Inside, Corpus Christi) from May 21 through June 18 to record their fifth full-length album for Solid State Records. The band added bassist Codey Watkins, formerly of the Chattanooga, TN based hardcore band In This Hour, to the lineup, announced via Facebook. Drummer Michael McClellan left shortly before going into the studio and was replaced by Chris Heaton, formerly of the Knoxville, TN based hardcore band Dear Lovely. Their album ''
I Am I Am or I'm may refer to: Language and literature * "I Am that I Am", a common English translation of the response God used in the Hebrew Bible when Moses asked for His name ** I am (biblical term), a Christian term used in the Bible * "I Am" (po ...
'' was released September 18, 2012. Around 2015, guitarist Dan Gailey stated that the band was talking on new material, and when asked by the interviewers about if the lineup was the same as the ''I Am'' lineup, his answer was "No". Gailey joined
Phinehas According to the Hebrew Bible, Phinehas or Phineas (; , ''Phinees'', ) was a priest during the Israelites’ Exodus journey. The grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, the High Priests (), he distinguished himself as a youth at Shittim with h ...
in 2014 and then Fit for a King in 2018. On June 24, 2022, the band announced their return from their hiatus and announced their new album, ''
Children of the Great Extinction ''Children of the Great Extinction'' is the sixth studio album by the heavy metal band Becoming the Archetype. The album was released on August 26, 2022, through Solid State. It is the band's first album in ten years since their hiatus, and also f ...
'', which was released on August 26 through Solid State. The album is the first to feature Wisdom and Duckett alongside Hecox since ''
Celestial Completion ''Celestial Completion'' is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band Becoming the Archetype, released on March 29, 2011 through Solid State Records. Becoming the Archetype added some diversity and unusual elements to their sound o ...
''. The album also features guitar cameos by former band members Alex Kenis and Daniel Gailey (currently of
Fit for a King ''Fit for a King'' is a 1937 American film starring Joe E. Brown and directed by Edward Sedgwick. Plot summary Newspaper reporter "Scoop (term), Scoops" (Brown) is sent out on assignment, to investigate the failed assassination attempts on Arc ...
), as well as guest vocals by Ryan Clark of
Demon Hunter Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. Although the brothers created the band together, only Ryan remains, since Don left the band to take care of his ...
.


Etymology and Christianity

The members are professed Christians, and the band takes its name from
Genesis Genesis may refer to: Bible * Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of mankind * Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Book of ...
1:26: "God said, 'Let us make man in our image.'" Since
Jesus Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
was purportedly the only person to ever be sinless, He was the
archetype The concept of an archetype (; ) appears in areas relating to behavior, historical psychology, and literary analysis. An archetype can be any of the following: # a statement, pattern of behavior, prototype, "first" form, or a main model that ot ...
of humanity; the band's name reflects this belief. In a 2008 interview with The Full Armor of God Broadcast, Jason Wisdom summed up the band's philosophy, stating "If we are not making a difference for the Lord, then we are just out there making noise!"


Band members

Current members * Jason Wisdom (
Solamors Solamors was a Christian metal band, that formed in 2012. The band has become a project of members of Becoming the Archetype, Aletheian, and UnTeachers UnTeachers is a heavy metal band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The band has released a s ...
, Death Therapy) – lead vocals (1999–2011, 2022–present), bass (2003–2011, 2022–present) * Brent "Duck" Duckett – drums (1999–2008, 2008–2011, 2022–present) * Seth Andrew Hecox (Anchors) – rhythm guitar, keyboards, clean vocals (2004–2013, 2022–present) * Former members * Jon Star – lead guitar (1999–2006, 2008–2010) * Martin Cunningham - rhythm and lead guitar (2011–2012) * Wes Gaither – bass (1999–2003) * Jacob Franklin – rhythm guitar (2001–2004) (ex-Irreversible) * Alex "Dracula" Kenis (formerly of Synoptic Rise,
Aletheian Aletheian are a Christian progressive/melodic death metal band. They formed in Lebanon, Pennsylvania in 1997 under the name Crutch, and then changed their name to "Aletheian" prior to the 2003 album ''Apolutrosis''. Guitarist Alex Kenis joined ...
,
Solamors Solamors was a Christian metal band, that formed in 2012. The band has become a project of members of Becoming the Archetype, Aletheian, and UnTeachers UnTeachers is a heavy metal band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The band has released a s ...
) – lead guitar, clean vocals (2006–2008) * Sean Cunningham - rhythm guitar (1999-2006), lead guitar (2001-2006) * Brandon Lopez (
Broken Flesh Broken Flesh is a Christian death metal band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2004. The band has released three studio albums, ''Forever In Flames'' in 2009, '' Warbound'' in 2013, and '' Broken Flesh'' in 2015. They have released one extend ...
, formerly of An Unearthly Child, and Vangough) – drums (2008) * Daniel Gailey – lead guitar, backing vocals (Thaddeus,
Phinehas According to the Hebrew Bible, Phinehas or Phineas (; , ''Phinees'', ) was a priest during the Israelites’ Exodus journey. The grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, the High Priests (), he distinguished himself as a youth at Shittim with h ...
,
Fit for a King ''Fit for a King'' is a 1937 American film starring Joe E. Brown and directed by Edward Sedgwick. Plot summary Newspaper reporter "Scoop (term), Scoops" (Brown) is sent out on assignment, to investigate the failed assassination attempts on Arc ...
) (2010–2013) * Chris McCane - lead vocals (ex-Thaddeus) (2011–2013) * Codey Watkins (ex-In This Hour) - bass (2012–2013) * Chris Heaton (ex-Dear Lovely) - drums, percussion (2012–2013) Touring musicians * Abishai Collingsworth (
The Overseer The Overseer is a Christian metal band from Bentonville, Arkansas started in 2007. They released an independent EP in 2010 entitled ''The Overseer'', and two successive studio albums with their label Solid State Records entitled '' We Search, We ...
, Wolves at the Gate) - drums (2011) * Chris McCane - vocals (2011) * Bradley Riggs (
The Overseer The Overseer is a Christian metal band from Bentonville, Arkansas started in 2007. They released an independent EP in 2010 entitled ''The Overseer'', and two successive studio albums with their label Solid State Records entitled '' We Search, We ...
) - bass (2011) * Michael McClellan ( '68) - drums (2011–2012) *Nate Washburn (
My Epic My Epic is an American Christian rock band from Charlotte, North Carolina started in 2005. They released an independent EP in 2006 entitled ''This Is Rescue'', and two successive albums and one EP with Dreamt Records entitled ''I Am Undone'' (20 ...
) - guitars (2022- present) Session musicians * Ryan Clark - Vocals (2005, 2008, 2022) *
Devin Townsend Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He founded extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad and was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from 1994 to 2007. He has also ...
- Vocals (2008) * Suzanne Richter - soprano vocals (2008) * Dennis Culp (of
Five Iron Frenzy Five Iron Frenzy is an American band formed in Denver, Colorado, in 1995. Best known for playing ska punk music characterized by an offbeat sense of humor and prominent Christian themes, Five Iron was one of the pioneering figures of the Christi ...
) - trombone (2011) * Nathan O'Brien – trombone (2011) * Kim Stice – violin (2011) * Sean Patrick Murphy – sitar, tambura, tablas (2011) * Ivey Norton Spears - vocals (2011) * Nate Washburn- guitars (2022) Timeline


Discography


As Nonexistent Failure

Demos * ''In Loving Memory of Everything... I Never Had'' (2002)


As the Remnant

Demos * ''Death, Destruction, and Mayhem'' (2003) Studio albums * ''The Remnant'' (2004, self-released)


As Becoming the Archetype

Studio albums EPs * ''Celestial Progression'' (2012; Solid State) Singles * "Necrotizing Fasciitis" (non-album digital single, 2009, Solid State) * "O Holy Night" (non-album digital single, 2011, Solid State) * "
The Time Bender ''The Time Bender'' is the first single from the album ''I Am'' by Christian metal band Becoming the Archetype. It was released on August 28, 2012, through Solid State. It was produced by Shane Frisby. Music video The video was released on the ...
" ( ''I Am'', 2012, Solid State Records) * "The Lost Colony" (''
Children of the Great Extinction ''Children of the Great Extinction'' is the sixth studio album by the heavy metal band Becoming the Archetype. The album was released on August 26, 2022, through Solid State. It is the band's first album in ten years since their hiatus, and also f ...
'', 2022, Solid State Records) Music videos * "Endure" (''The Physics Of Fire'') – 2007 * "The Magnetic Sky" (''Celestial Completion'') – 2011 * "Breathing Light" (''Celestial Completion'') – 2011 * "The Time Bender" (''I Am'') - 2012


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Becoming The Archetype American death metal musical groups American Christian metal musical groups Heavy metal musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state) Metalcore musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state) Musical groups established in 1999 American progressive metal musical groups Solid State Records artists American technical death metal musical groups Century Media Records artists Musical quintets 1999 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) Musical groups reestablished in 2022 Musical groups disestablished in 2013